Defense secretary nominee James Mattis on Wednesday abruptly canceled a planned hearing before the House Armed Services Committee this week, potentially complicating his confirmation process.
House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith, D-Wash., has made similar statements in the past, noting the importance of the issue to the underpinnings of national security policy. He has also said\u00a0Democrats may put aside their admiration and fight his confirmation if the Trump administration skips a substantive debate on the issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the topic on Tuesday, where outside experts defended the rationale behind a seven-year wait but also offered an endorsement of a waiver for Mattis, given his unique background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those senators are expected to vote on waiver legislation as early as Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Republicans control both chambers of Congress and don\u2019t need Democrats to advance the legislation in the House. But a large opposition vote in the House over procedural issues for a popular nominee could be a bothersome image for the new administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
House leaders are still eyeing a possible vote on the issue this week, even without a Mattis appearance on their side of Capitol Hill. House Armed Services Committee members are expected to debate the waiver on Thursday afternoon, with or without Mattis’ attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mattis\u2019 Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporter Joe Gould contributed to this story.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n